Know what’s fun if not good? Country music. Especially in the summer on a calm night and preferably with a cold beverage. My father will tell you the golden age of country music was 2011. Where artists like Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum, and Jake Owen released their hits. Also released in that year was the album that spurred Eric Church into fame, Chief. Chief is one of those albums where even if you’re not a fan of country music, you know one or two songs. “Drink in My Hand” is an anthem for the forty-hour week workers and “Springsteen” is another notable hit from the release.

Eric Church at RBC Ottawa Bluesfest (2019) Photo Credit: Sean Sisk

“We’re going to pound you,” Church told a sweaty Bluesfest crowd on Day Two of the festival. After lightning caused delays initially, the gates opened to all the jean shorts, plaid shirts, and backwards ball caps you’d expect from a stadium brand of the country concert. The North Carolina born country star mentioned they usually play three or four hours, but since they couldn’t do that, we’d get all the hits.

Now, I haven’t been a huge fan of country music since about 2012 and stood oblivious to the first few numbers of his set. Apparently, he had, indeed, released music in the last eight years and likes to play those new songs much to my naivety. I imagine one of those songs that reached the same level of success as his early hits is “Talladega.” When he played the first notes of that song the crowd erupted and the sing-along began. That “stadium” brand of country I mentioned comes with downfalls, it lacks energy, but Church’s clever lyrics and a knack for a hook make it fun and enjoyable. On a summer night, it’s perfect to sit back, enjoy, and sing.

Eric Church at RBC Ottawa Bluesfest (2019) Photo Credit: Sean Sisk

Church demanded some more energy from the Ottawa crowd for a song I’d totally forgotten about until the refrain brought the entire memory of the lyrics back, “Jack Daniels kicked my ass again last night.” Church informed the audience that back when they played “Jack Daniels” early in their career, to small and dingy bars, the song was always received well. Bluesfest on July 5 was no different.

He played those hits, “Springsteen,” “Drink in My Hand,” and “Smoke a Little Smoke,” along with some more recent favourites I couldn’t tell you the name of. The weather cooperated and contributed to the set of modern country music—if we can still categorize it as country, it seemed like just rock with a twang. Church’s talented band did not short themselves of guitar solos and a female backup singer providing nice harmonies over Church’s deeper southern voice.

After some early worries with the rain and storming, everything worked out in end. And isn’t that the very essence of the subject matter in today’s country tunes?